Sally Ridout
Sally was born in Wales and was five when her parents moved to Africa. She grew up on a ranch and trained as a teacher, specialising in Art and the History of Art. She returned to the UK in 1974. She has lived and taught Art both in Scotland and England and in 2015, retired as
Head of Art at Sherborne International School, having taught there for 20 years.
"I am predominantly a Landscape painter in oils and acrylics, but enjoy the freedom of mixed media as well. I have recently embraced digital software as another medium or tool and am very excited at the creative possibilities this has opened up.
Growing up in Africa, I used to dream of the rolling hills and valleys of my childhood and when I first came to teach in the West Country, I was drawn to its fairytale landscape of ancient hill forts and leafy coombes.
Rhythms of shape and form play a large part in my choice of subject matter and although I paint specific places, exact representation is not important to me. I express my response to a place, a comforting view or the relationship between land and sky, in a semi-abstract style and I like to show the direction, application and evidence of the medium I am using.
I am particularly influenced by the Canadian "Group of Seven" from the 1920s and 30s and I enjoy the work of Josephine Trotter and other expressionist Landscape painters, past and present.
I have exhibited locally over the last few years:
- Sherborne Open Art Exhibition.
- Dorset Art Weeks (twice).
- The Arts Centre Illminster: "Light" with A303 artists, Oct 2017.
I have sold a number of original paintings and "giclee" reproduction prints and have taken up Commissions.
Contact:
Telephone: 01963 370020
E-mail: s.ridout180@btinternet.com